Car Reviews

Honest John Reviews Hyundai

Hyundai Tucson (2004 – 2009) Review

2019 Hyundai Tucson 1.6 TGDi 177 Premium SE 5dr 2WD Hyundai Tucson
1.6 TGDi 177 Premium SE 5dr 2WD
£19,795
View Hyundai Tucson cars for sale

Hyundai Tucson (2004 – 2009) At A Glance

2/5

+A satisfying drive in diesel manual form. Very well equipped and roomy. Five-year unlimited mileage warranty.

-Fuel economy may not be as good as you hoped.

Insurance Groups are between 22–24
On average it achieves 82% of the official MPG figure

Road Test virtually identical Kia Sportage Kia Sportage 2.0i and 2.0CRDi 2005 Road Test

What do owners think of the Hyundai Tucson (2004 – 2009)? Check out our Owners' Reviews from people who live with the car day in, day out.

Car seat chooser

Child seats that fit a Hyundai Tucson (2004 – 2009)

Our unique Car Seat Chooser shows you which child car seats will fit this car and which seat positions that they will fit, so that you don't have to check every car seat manufacturer's website for compatibility.

Which car seat will suit you?

Real MPG average for a Hyundai Tucson (2004 – 2009)

RealMPG

Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.

Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.

Average performance

82%

Real MPG

21–42 mpg

MPGs submitted

91

Diesel or petrol? If you're unsure whether to go for a petrol or diesel (or even an electric model if it's available), then you need our Petrol or Diesel? calculator. It does the maths on petrols, diesels and electric cars to show which is best suited to you.

Satisfaction Index

Satisfaction Index What is your car like to live with?

We need your help with our latest Satisfaction Index, so that we can help others make a smarter car buying decision. What's it like to live with your car? Love it? Loath it? We want to know. Let us know about your car - it will only take a few minutes and you could be helping thousands of others.

Help us with the Honest John Satisfaction Index now

Reviews for Hyundai Tucson (2004 – 2009)'s top 3 rivals

Kia Sportage
3/5
Enjoyable drive, especially in diesel form. Plenty of kit. Rear seats recline and fold flat easily. Roomy...
Nissan X-Trail
3/5
Excellent, honest vehicle, decent to drive on road and best in class off road. Better than original Freelander.
Suzuki Grand Vitara
3/5
Good looking, on road handling much better than previous version, comparatively cheap, impressive off...

Ask Honest John

Should we sell one of our cars?

"My wife and I are in our late seventies, and we run two cars, A Hyundai Tuscon 55 reg with 50,000 miles on the clock, and I run a BMW series one 120D with 85,000 on the clock. We are thinking of getting rid of one, bearing in mind that the Tuscon is shortly due an MoT and service plus a new timing belt. In your opinion, which vehicle should we get rid of or should we cut our losses and go for a 2-3 year old second hand with less than 20,000 miles on the clock? If you recommend changing our vehicles I think we need to be looking at something like a SUV as they are higher."
Both vehicles are getting quite old and could be expensive to run as they get older. The BMW in particular has the potential to produce some big bills – especially if you're not covering enough miles to warrant a diesel (they generally aren't suited to regular short journeys). Now could be the time to sell them both and buy a newer replacement. Take a look at the Volkswagen T-Roc. It's got a high seating position, comfortable seats and is a very stylish small SUV. We'd also recommend a Toyota C-HR or Mazda CX-30.
Answered by Andrew Brady

The DPF light keeps coming on in my car, despite driving it properly - what do you think?

"I bought a 2006 Hyundai Tucson in October 2017. The engine warning light was flashing when I test drove it and I was told that this was the DPF. I was aassured it would be fixed and it was okay when I collected it, but has been back twice for the same problem and the last time (30 November) a full regeneration was done by a specialist. The light has now come on again (150 miles later) and the garage are saying I am not driving it far enough, which seems ridiculous. I have read up about DPFs, but can't believe that it would need cleaning out again after only 150 miles, which included several half hour trips at 40 - 60mph and a blast down the motorway at 70mph for about 20 - 30 minutes. I would be grateful for your comments."
It's probably full of ash from burning off the soot and because it it too full of ash it can no longer regenerate properly. Might be possible to have the DPF chemically cleaned by sending it away to Ceramex for about £400. Otherwise it needs a new DPF, which will be about £1000.
Answered by Honest John

What large hybrid car will do the best motorway economy for a long commute?

"I currently drive a 2007 diesel Hyundai Tucson auto. It's done 190,000 miles and is in need of replacing. I do about 25,000 miles a year, mostly country roads and motorways, and want something with good economy. I'm tempted by electric or hybrid technology, but am unsure if they will cut it for my 50 mile each way commute. Needs to be a decent sized vehicle, but not necessarily an SUV. Any recommendations?"
You can get about 60mpg from an Toyota Auris or Prius hybrid driving as you describe. For your kind of driving, probably not worth going to a plug-in. Most suitable care, maybe a Lexus IS300h SE on 16-inch wheels with 55 profile tyres. A hybrid SUV will be less economical because of the weight and shape.
Answered by Honest John

What's the correct tyre pressures for the Hyundai Tucson?

"I own a 2007 Hyundai Tucson. The recommended PSI is 30, but it looks very under inflated and doesn't feel right when driving. Should I raise the PSI?. The tyre size is 235/60 R 16 100"
60 is quite deep profile and on an SUV the deeper the profile the less steering and road feel you will get. Unless you will be dong a lot of off roading, 55 profile seems to be the optimum for SUVs. Tyre pressure rise as you drive by as much as 4PSI once the tyres are fully up to temperature, so bear that in mind while you are experimenting. Softer tyres help, but Michelin doesn't yet do Cross Climates in 235/60 R16.
Answered by Honest John
More Questions

What does a Hyundai Tucson (2004 – 2009) cost?

Find more cars like this

Hyundai Tucson for sale

£22,722
2021 Hyundai Tucson
1.6 TGDi N Line 5dr 2WD
20,761 miles
Bristol Street Motors Hyundai Mansfield
£10,490
2018 Hyundai Tucson
1.6 GDi Blue Drive SE Nav 5dr 2WD
51,002 miles
Harratts Used Car Centre Wakefield
£34,233
2023 Hyundai Tucson
1.6 TGDi Hybrid 230 Ultimate 5dr 2WD Auto
5,915 miles
Macklin Motors Hyundai Edinburgh West